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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 25, 2013 03:21 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Marty Flynn |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Resolution Honoring Boxer Jack Johnson |
| In the near future, I am planning to introduce a resolution honoring the illustrious life of pioneering heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. Born on March 31, 1878, Jack Johnson was the son of former slaves, who worked hard to earn enough money to teach Jack and his five siblings how to read and write. Jack Johnson began boxing in his teenage years, and he grew up to be 6 foot 1 inch tall and weigh in at 200 pounds. Mr. Johnson’s entire career was marked by racial discrimination. In 1908, after defeating most of his opponents in official fights to earn a record of 56 wins and two losses, the boxing establishment was reluctant to give Jack an opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title due to his race. Eventually, Mr. Johnson convinced Tommy Burns, the reigning heavyweight boxing champion, who was Caucasian, to fight for the title. Jack Johnson defeated Tommy Burns in this event, making Mr. Johnson the first African American heavyweight boxing champion of the world. Mr. Johnson accomplished this feat during the bygone Jim Crow era in American history, which was characterized by racial segregation and blatant, widespread discrimination and persecution against African Americans in society. Indeed, his victory set off a search for a “Great White Hope” who could take the title back. This led to former heavyweight title holder James Jeffries coming out of retirement to fight Mr. Johnson, however, Mr. Jeffries went down to defeat. This outcome sparked race riots in various places across the country, tragically leading to several deaths. Jack Johnson was also patented several of his inventions, and authored two memoirs of his life. He was among the first celebrity athletes of his time who, living large, appeared regularly in the news media and movies. He also acted and lectured at various places. Mr. Johnson also opened a nightclub in Harlem, New York City, that was later purchased from him and renamed the Cotton Club, which became a famous venue for African American performers. Jack Johnson went on to fight sporadically until the age of 50, when he retired from the sport of boxing. On June 10, 1946, at age 68, Mr. Johnson died in an automobile accident near Raleigh, North Carolina, having sped away from a restaurant at which he was denied service due to his race. Jack Johnson has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and is considered to be one of the best professional boxers of all time. Please join me in honoring this legendary American boxer. |
Introduced as HR371